Widener University is currently seeking a Program Manager in the College of Arts and Sciences. Reporting to the Associate Director of Strategic Planning and Program Management for the College of Arts and Sciences, the Program Manager plays a key role in advancing the College’s academic and operational objectives through effective resource management and administrative support. The position partners closely with academic divisions and departments to coordinate critical processes, maintain the integrity of academic and administrative records, and support data-informed decision-making. Through collaboration, organization, and attention to detail, the Program Manager serves as a trusted resource in advancing operational efficiency, compliance, and informed decision-making across the College.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
- Manage all internal and external College communications through the College’s centralized email account, ensuring timely, and accurate responses to inquiries.
- Coordinate and execute communications plans for prospective students and their families, including developing content, communication timelines, and personalized outreach campaigns in collaboration with University Relations.
- Utilize AI-assisted communication tools, CRM systems, and advanced Excel functions to support targeted messaging and personalized correspondence.
- Develop and distribute donor communications that highlight College activities, faculty achievements, student successes, and initiatives aligned with donor interests and philanthropic priorities.
- Serve as a key liaison between the Dean’s Office, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and university partners to facilitate effective information sharing.
Faculty Affairs & Recruitment
- Coordinate and manage faculty recruitment activities, including adjunct, visiting, and full-time faculty searches.
- Develop and maintain search timelines, schedules, and candidate interview itineraries, ensuring a seamless and professional recruitment experience.
- Track recruitment budgets, process reimbursements, and monitor search-related expenditures.
- Collaborate closely with Division Chairs and search committees to manage candidate applications, interview logistics, and documentation.
- Maintain official faculty records and coordinate updates with university offices to ensure faculty profiles accurately reflect appointments, promotions, publications, and other professional accomplishments.
Academic Operations & Student Support
- Provide comprehensive support for course scheduling, registration, and curriculum management across academic divisions and interdisciplinary programs.
- Enter, maintain, and update course offerings and scheduling information within CourseDog and other university systems.
- Support student registration processes, including enrolling incoming students in courses and assisting with scheduling-related inquiries.
- Partner with academic units to ensure accurate and timely implementation of course schedules and academic planning initiatives.
Budget, Financial & Administrative Management
- Maintain and update financial tracking systems and spreadsheets to support accurate budget monitoring and reporting.
- Process and track faculty travel expenses, reimbursements, and other College-related expenditures in accordance with university policies.
- Monitor departmental and project budgets, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and timely financial reporting.
- Generate reports and analyses to support budget planning and operational decision-making within the College.
College Operations & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Support the coordination of administrative staff across academic divisions and interdisciplinary programs on shared College initiatives and priorities.
- Assist with the planning and execution of College events, faculty and student recognition programs, awards processes, and other Dean’s Office initiatives.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve operational efficiency and ensure successful implementation of College programs and projects.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Supports data collection and assessment of college events that involve the faculty and staff and supports the assessment of programs within the College of Arts & Sciences.
- Tracks and submits work orders.
- Supports asset management, working closely with IT to submit new or replacement requests.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field.
- Three (3+) years of experience in academic administration or higher education operations. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data management tools; experience with institutional data systems such as Colleague, Informer, CourseDog, or similar platforms.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple academic and administrative units.
Preferred:
- Experience with dashboard software, such as PowerBI or Tableau or similar platforms.
- Master’s degree, M.B.A or Masters in relevant field.
- Three (3+) years of management experience.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Position is based in a standard office environment with hybrid work options available, subject to approval by the Dean.
- Ability to remain in a stationary position, either seated or standing, for extended periods.
- Ability to move throughout the office to access files, operate office equipment, and attend meetings and events.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to meet operational needs, support special events, projects, or critical deadlines.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington.
EOE M/F/V/D
